For years, every time we went up around Olallie to the ridge between it and Pratt Lake, I've said "We should go to Pratt." Similarly, whenever we start looking at the map I've said "We should go to Tuscohatchie." But we hadn't yet done either.
With two nights free and a chance to backpack a popular spot on a Sunday/Monday rather than a Friday/Saturday, this was the weekend to knock these off.
The trail, starting at the Pratt Lake / Granite Mountain trailhead, was in fine shape, but I would not start there again. Going in via Talapus Lake saves you 1,000 feet in elevation gain, and by the time you get to the ridge above the Pratt basin, you'll appreciate that. On the map, it looks like you just drop into the basin and you're there. In reality, you lose nearly 800 feet in about a mile, and then it's nearly another mile to the campsites and lake access. That 1.8 miles felt very long.
There are not many campsites at the lake, and only two that offer good views and easy access, both near the outlet. There's a toilet nearby, which is not mentioned in the hike description. Miraculously for late July, there were no bugs!
The second day we day-hiked over to Tuscohatchie. The Pratt river valley, looking north toward the Middlefork, is gorgeous, and the sound of the Tuscohatchie outlet accompanies you nearly the entire short hike to the lake. There is a lovely beach access near the outlet, and the lake was a perfect temperature for a swim, with -- again -- no bugs! We had it entirely to ourselves for an hour, until an energetic and very polite Boy Scout group came in.
What was really great about this trail were the literal miles and miles of huckleberries, and the sense, once you get to Pratt and certainly between Pratt and Tuscohatchie, that you're really getting deep into the woods (despite being only 7 miles in from the trailhead). All along the trail through the Pratt basin, and all the way too and around Tuscohatchie the berries were bountiful, and delicious!
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